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Jerry Falwell Museum adds new exhibit

October 23, 2008 : Dominique McKay

As the newest addition to the Jerry Falwell Museum, located off the DeMoss Hall Grand Lobby, what once was a storage room has now been transformed into a timeline tribute to the life of the late Dr. Jerry Falwell. With the anticipation of alumni returning to campus in the next few days for Alumni Weekend, the room was created to give more space to alumni as they tour the museum and visit the nearby Alumni Welcome Center.

“It’s an extension of the museum but dedicated to alumni use,” said Paula Johnson , a Thomas Road Baptist Church staff member who oversees the museum.

Painted on the wall is a large timeline mural that depicts the changes made to the campus over the years. Beginning with the Carter Glass Mansion and an original barn as it was at the time of Falwell’s birth in 1933, the mural finishes off with the mansion and the Jerry Falwell Burial Garden out front as it is today.

Below the mural is a timeline of documents, newspaper articles and memos that tell the story of Falwell throughout the years. It begins with the building of TRBC in 1956 and continues until Falwell’s death in May 2007. Four large conference tables with glass tops continue the theme of timelines as each table is categorized by decade with more memorabilia spread underneath the glass.

A painted mural of Falwell praying over the mountain was also added to the room, along with a large world map. Color-coded push pins will be provided for alumni to place on the map to show where they are currently working and serving the Lord.

“We always wanted to finish off the museum and we had a lot of ideas but nothing seemed to click,” Johnson said. “Then after Dr. Falwell died, this idea just seemed to make sense.”